So far so good. His first days as Leonardo’s bodyguard had gone smoothly. Tho Raphael still could swore he felt, way too often, eyes on his back. Maybe he was becoming paranoid since Leonardo demanded perfect protection – which Raphael was more than capable of to give him. Maybe Leonardo wasn’t all that convinced about his skills yet.

From the corner of his eye Raphael saw someone further away move fast from shadow into another. Acting like if he hadn’t noticed their follower Raphael kept staying close behind Leonardo, his hands slowly turning into fists. He had small blades hanging on his belt but he wouldn’t use them if he really didn’t need to. He trusted his fists and strength to be enough to protect young prince.

When two turtles reached most shadowy and dark part of the long hallway this small and fast figure launched towards them. Pushing Leonardo out of the way Raphael embraced himself for the impact but this small figure was amazingly fast, easily sliding past him towards royalty. Cursing under his breath Raphael reached after intruder, managing to get a hold on the cape.

Yanking, with too much strength, Raphael managed to get attacker away from Leonardo, putting himself between small assassin and Leo.

“Stay behind me, my lord.” Eyeing smaller figure Raphael hit his knuckles together few times. “Okay, bug. Listen up. If you want the prince, you have to take my life first. You got that? But trust me, I’m not planning on giving my life so easily.”

When Raphael made his move assassin was stunned since they had not been informed how fast this big turtle was. Bending backward they just barely missed Raphael’s massive arm which cut through the air, sending strong wind fly over their face. Rolling backward to get more distance from this big bodyguard assassin weighted their options. They clearly had underestimated this new bodyguard but they couldn’t withdraw without successful mission. It would get them punished from failing.

Eyeing Raphael they noticed something. Raphael was standing all tall, tensed and his muscles had grew in size some. Those sharp eyes were burning brightly as they were locked fully on them, nothing breaking his focus. His energy also was something what started to become terrifying. This turtle just simply had that something. Moving his eyes on their original target and then back on bodyguard they decided to flee.

“Oh no, you won’t!” Taking one of his small blades from his belt Raphael took a hold of the blade, aimed for a second and threw. Blade flashed whenever light hit it as it flew towards the target, finally hitting at the backside of the knee. Yelling in pain assassin fell on the floor. They knew they didn’t had much time so they tried to get up, only being pressed back against the marble floor by Raphael’s massive foot.

“Stay down if you know what’s good for you. Know I’m not going to kill you since you can’t defense yourself at this state, but also know I won’t hesitate to take your life if you try something.”

Bending down Raphael pulled his blade out of fresh flesh, causing small yelp from his victim. Ripping a piece of fabric Raphael tied it tightly around the wound preventing blood leaking out. Seeing Leonardo approaching them Raphael lifted his hand towards him.

“Please, stay there, your highness. This bastard can still be dangerous.”

“He won’t do anything. Now won’t you?”

Raphael watched how Leonardo knelt down, removing hood from assassin’s head. It was one of the teenagers who had been on the site with Raphael before! Shocked and stunned Raphael stood up backing away slightly. He couldn’t believe one of the kids, who he had loved and cared about, had just tried to attack and kill him and Leonardo.

“You both did well.” With wide surprised eyes Raphael looked at Leonardo who smiled while helping young assassin up.

“W… What do you mean?!” Smiling Leonardo looked at big shocked turtle.

“This was all a test. And good practice to both of you as well. You, Niegro, did well but you must not be afraid of your opponent. Do not hesitate or flee.”

Bowing to Leonardo young teenager whispered his apology. Tapping slim shoulder Leonardo ordered him to go see a doctor now. His wound needed care. Stopping the boy in front of him Raphael landed his hands on Niegro’s shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I… If I would had known it was you I never -”

“Do not apologize. I knew the risk of getting injured when I signed for this practice. You did give me a good challenge, Raphael. I am grateful.” Watching after him Raphael swallowed slightly as Leonardo appeared next to him.

“I never knew you guys train assassins.”

“Why wouldn’t we? All kingdoms and rulers have them more or less.”

“I’m aware of that but… he’s still a kid… He shouldn’t-”

“It was his own wish, Raphael. He requested to be trained as assassin.”

This broke Raphael’s heart. Niegro always had been a boy who needed and wanted action but becoming an assassin… Raphael wanted to go after him, talk some sense in his mind but at the same time, deep in his heart, he knew he would be wasting his time and energy.

“Come now, hot stuff. We can’t stay here the whole night – unless you have something in mind and need shadows to hide it from curious eyes.” Leonardo gave one of his lusty playful looks which only amused Raphael. Bowing slightly Raphael told his lord to lead the way, following him.

**

After practice ambush Raphael had become more paranoid. He was restless and constantly on alarm. He was marching back and forth in Leonardo’s room what they now shared. Sitting on the bed Leonardo was keeping his eyes on the book what he tried to read but Raphael’s restlessness was getting on his nerves, preventing him from reading.

“Raphael, sit. You are driving me crazy.”

“I can’t. I need to be on guard. Need to protect you.”

“And you are doing just fine. But you need to sit down. You are tiring your legs. How can you protect me if you can’t stand or walk?”

Stopping Raphael sighed deep, dropping his head and shoulders as down as possible. “Sorry. I am just so nervous. I don’t want any ambushes like that to happen ever again.”

Humming happily Leonardo’s eyes returned back on the book. “You are doing fine. Relax. I have all the faith in you, big guy.”

Looking at relaxed Leonardo Raphael studied him slowly only to notice that Leonardo indeed was in most relaxed state, not worrying or fearing a thing. Leo truly trusted him. It eased big turtle enough so that he, finally, could sit down on the edge of his own bed. Turning to look through the window full moon greeted him with stars. He had weird feeling deep inside. It was almost like deja-vu… but he couldn’t tell why or where this could had happen before.

Yawning carefully Raphael tried to hide the fact how tired he was. Being on alarm constantly was draining his energy more than he had thought it would.

“You should get some rest, Raphael.” Placing his book on the night table Leonardo had soft look in his eyes. “Want me to sleep there with you so that you can sleep better?”

Before his brain had time to join his mouth, Raphael blurted; “I would love that.” Realizing what kind of “frog” he just let out of his mouth he ended up in silent staring with Leonardo who, as well, seemed a little surprised. Slowly starting to chuckle Leonardo stood up coming next to Raphael’s bed but there instantly was a problem.

“Oh my. It seems that little plan of ours isn’t going to work in your bed. It’s too small for both of us. What do you say we move on my bed instead?”

Leonardo’s bed was big, amazingly big for such thin turtle but Raphael could never go lay on it. He was below Leonardo. He had no rights for such luxury. It almost appeared like if Leonardo read his mind when his hands reached for Raphael’s, taking a hold on them and gently pulling Raphael up.

“You can come to my bed since I invite you on it. Besides you need goodnight sleep and your bed doesn’t look all that comfortable for it.”

Leading Raphael right next to the bed Leonardo suddenly pushed big turtle on his shell on the mattress, attacking on Raphael’s pants. Raphael screamed high and loud in surprise, trying to push Leonardo’s too eager hands away but this damn turtle was like glued on him.

“W-w-w-w-what are you doing!?”

Chuckling at Raphael’s red face and shock Leonardo smirked while opening Raphael’s pants. “None sleeps in my bed clothes on. Not even I.” He heard loud swallow while his fingers took firm hold on Raphael’s waistline, pulling his pants off completely. Blushing heavily Raphael looked away, feeling pair of Leo’s eyes traveling on his body.
“Nice. Very nice. Now take more comfortable position. You can’t sleep there sideways like that.”

Obeying silently Raphael laid on his shell in the middle of the bed. His heart was hammering harder and harder when Leonardo took his robe off, letting it slide off erotically. Leonardo clearly enjoyed this teasing since he couldn’t stop smiling and licking his lips. It didn’t make anything about this easier, in Raphael’s mind, when Leonardo crawled next on him, laying down on his massive chest.

Not saying a word Leonardo closed his eyes, gently drawing small circle on Raphael’s collarbone area. That, with Leonardo’s warm and soft breathing hitting his skin, calmed Raphael down and suddenly he fell asleep. Lifting his head up Leonardo watched Raphael’s face while big turtle was slightly snoring beneath him. He, indeed, was so exhausted after so short time of being his bodyguard. However hard start was the best since it would make Raphael used of his job more faster. Laying his head back down Leonardo took deep inhale, releasing it slowly and long, eyelids sliding shut.

**

Hot. He was feeling hot. Smoke. He smelled smoke. He tried to scream but only sound was a baby’s cry. Screams… Someone running to him… Red eyes… No… No! Jumping awake Raphael panted, Leonardo waking in his arms as well. Staring down on sweat covered face, eyes wide with horror, Leonardo gently pressed his hand on moist cheek.

“Raphael?” His voice had never be so tender and soft, but it helped Raphael to realize where he was. Turning to look his lord in dim moonlight Raphael sighed deeply in relief. Soft stroking motion against his cheek was so soothing.

“You had a bad dream.” Leonardo whispered. “Can you go back to sleep or do you want to stay awake and talk about it?”

“I’m – I’m fine. Let’s go back to sleep.”

And they did just that, or Leonardo did. Raphael himself stayed awake a while before daring to close his eyes, only to end up opening them later when he heard window opening silently. Opening his eye ever so slightly Raphael noticed room to be darker than earlier which only could mean that either moon had move away from behind Leo’s window or there were clouds. Either way this darkness had given perfect opportunity to invader which made all senses in Raphael scream.

Feeling tiny pinch on his collarbone area was a sign from Leonardo. He was awake too. Suddenly rolling off on Raphael Leonardo gave his bodyguard a chance to toss pillow right on the attacker’s face.
This sudden resistance surprised assassin but he was too slow to pull out his dagger when Raphael already had threw Leonardo’s big and heavy blanket on him. Struggling to get free took much of precious time and energy. It also made him to be easy target for Raphael.

Hard hit deep in his guts made him gag and fall on his knees. D-damn it! Blanket was removed but wrapped around him to trap his arms against his body. Growling assassin flipped backward making Raphael lose his hold on the blanket which fell off around him. This didn’t slow Raphael down however as he was already coming at the attacker who rolled backward some more until he had good distance between them. Taking small blades he threw them at Raphael who easily blocked them with his arms, getting small cuts on his flesh.

That fury, desire and need to protect royal prince, shined brightly in Raphael’s eyes and it was something what made fear sink in assassin’s feet. Having big furious turtle like Raphael coming at you with full force was scary sight to anyone. Growling assassin placed his hand in small pocket and when Raphael was close enough, he dodged big flying fists couple of times before throwing small smoke bomb on angry turtle’s face.

Raphael screamed covering his face, walking away from the sneaky bastard who smirked loudly. “Some bodyguard you are. Inexperienced fool.” When he turned around to face his target, he only saw a flash of blade when Leonardo all of the sudden appeared in front of him pressing his sword against assassin’s throat.

“Who sent you?”

“None of your business, brat.” It was a voice what Leonardo didn’t recognized. Flash of smaller blade made Leonardo dodge backward as assassin was coming at him with fierce attacks. Leonardo was very skilled fighter, there was no denying that, and he was holding up pretty well. Sadly this assassin, however, wasn’t there to play it fair. He threw another small smoke bomb right on Leo’s face when he got his first chance. Tackling Leonardo beside the bed assassin sat heavily on smaller body, pulling pillowcase off on the pillow, wrapping it around Leonardo’s neck.

Raphael heard Leonardo’s gags and whimpers and it squeezed his heart, filling it with fear and desperation. Leo needed him! Rubbing his teary eyes he managed to see two blurry figures. His first instinct was to just rush there and ram the attacker against the bed but it wouldn’t do. Raphael kept his steps fast and light as he rushed, as well as he could, behind assassin. Big arm came around his neck and assassin had no chances to fight or get free from furious turtle’s hold.

Raphael was growling, his eyes red and teary, anger burning his blood. He was ever so slowly tightening his hold around the small neck, giving slow and painful death.

“You little fucker. Dared to sneak here and try to kill the prince. Your biggest mistake was me.” Moving his lips near the ear, Raphael whispered with raspy voice; “Know that I will hang your body outside the window as a sign to other assassins that they will experience same faith if they ever dare to come near my lord.”

Leonardo was gasping for air as his teary eyes looked at Raphael who gave one last hard squeeze and a twist to the head, loud crack twisting Leonardo’s stomach. Dropping dead body from his hold Raphael trembled. No. This wasn’t enough. He needed more. Lifting lifeless body up Raphael raised his fist but Leonardo’s voice stopped him.

“Raphael. Enough. He’s dead. Do not bring shame on yourself by sinking so low as to beat lifeless body. You did your job so leave it there.”

Breathing loud and heavily bigger turtle growled as he dropped the body, his focus now fully turning on Leonardo who was slowly sitting up, rubbing his neck and eyes. Landing on his knee Raphael held Leonardo by the shoulder, eyes scanning him for injuries. Luckily there didn’t seem to be any. Only some marks would appear later on his neck.

“I’m sorry.”

Leonardo smiled. “And why is that? You did your job like I said. Your job is to keep me alive. If I get injured that is okay.” Standing up with Raphael’s help they both turned to look at the body on the floor. Closing the distance between them Raph and Leo soon came next to corpse. Reaching down Leonardo removed black mask.

A ferret. Eyeing his lord Raphael could tell that Leonardo knew him somehow. He didn’t need to ask anything when Leonardo already was telling him the truth. Yes, he knew ferrets in a way. In the past they, Splinter’s and ferrets’ kingdoms, had been friends but then they, what Splinter had told, had betrayed them. It seemed they still were seeking revenge or simply hated them. Leonardo didn’t had all the details but that was all what he had been told.

Removing the body out of the room was Raphael’s job and he waited in the hallway with the body until two guards came to get it. With Leonardo’s order, what Raphael delivered to them, they took the body and buried it in the near by swamp. Sitting on the edge of the bed Leonardo kept staring in the distance, his mind wondering far away. Now that one of their assassins had been killed, and he would never return, there most surely would be more of them to come in their way. But there was questions such as were they only after Leonardo or was his whole family in danger?

**

Naturally, in the next couple of days, Splinter had been making sure Leonardo was safe and sound in each morning. It was kind of weird and alarming since both Leonardo and Raphael knew how nasty Splinter normally was towards his adopted son. Donatello had kept his distance which wasn’t surprising but Michelangelo had been glued on Leonardo the first 24 hours. He even had insisted on sleeping in Leo’s room the first night after the attempted murder. Raphael had gladly given him his bed, ending up sleeping with Leo on his bed once more.

While he had started to enjoy sleeping in big bed, having Leo with his warm body in his arms, bed was something what he hadn’t got used to – yet. It was too luxury. Too big and soft. His shell preferred more rougher and harder bed but he kept his thoughts to himself, not wanting to be disrespectful. And while he had been sleeping well these last few nights, this same dream appeared to him. That same dream what he’d had before. Smell of smoke, feeling the flames, hearing screams and so on.

This night the dream went further, becoming more clear. He was laying somewhere and he realized he was a baby since he couldn’t move and all the sounds what he made were baby crying. Then someone ran to him. A white most beautiful snapping turtle with fearful red eyes. She bend down to pick him up, holding him tight against her chest as she ran through the place. Raphael realized it was his mother… Tears rolled down on his cheeks as he whimpered silently in his sleep, becoming more restless.

Background flashed past his eyes and he realized it looked a lot like a palace until they came out. He heard someone chasing them but his mother was able to escape from them, for a while at least. She ran down in the village which, also, was burning. She found a spot which already had been burned some and there was empty barrel. While bending down she kissed Raphael’s head so softly, delivering all the love through that one kiss. She placed her child in the barrel, tears falling on Raphael’s face. She smiled, stroked those tears away but in her eyes Raphael could see how her heart shattered. Her red lips moved but Raphael couldn’t hear her voice. She placed kiss on her fingers, pressing them on his forehead. Sensing she was going to leave him Raphael reached his hands towards her mother whimpering.

She smiled sweetly, her red eyes unleashing tears what they desperately had been holding back until now. Sounds echoed on the background which made her lift her head and look behind her. Taking one last look at him Raphael could read her lips; “I love you.” and she disappeared.

Waking up with tears on his eyes and cheeks were unfamiliar to big turtle. Sitting up Raphael covered his face in his hands. There was no end to tears and crying, no matter how hard he tried to stop. His heart was aching so, soul feeling heavy and longing. Small hand rubbed his shoulder as Leonardo sat closer next to him, giving his bodyguard, but also a friend, his support and comfort. He had no idea why Raphael was crying like this but he didn’t press it by asking anything. Instead they sat in silence until Raphael calmed down enough.

“… You know, I think this new job is getting to you.” Leonardo’s voice was silent and careful. Last thing what he now wanted to do was to upset Raphael even more.

“No. It’s not my job. I think… I think it’s this place. This palace.”

“Hmm?”

“Keep me crazy but more time I have spend here, more things I have start to notice. Like some items. I feel like I’ve seen them before but… I don’t know where.” His watery eyes shined in the dim light as he stared Leonardo in begging way – he needed him to believe him. To understand.

“Tell me this dream of yours what you just had.” And Raphael told him, every little thing and detail what he remembered. What he had seen, smelled and heard. After he stopped Leonardo was sitting still, staring into distance with weird expression on his face which was, somehow, worrying.

“My lord? You know something? Did anything in my dream ring any bells? If so then tell me.”

It took way too many seconds, way too long in Raphael’s liking, before Leonardo slowly replied to him. “I’m not sure.” Those as his last words Leonardo got out of the bed, pulled on his robe ordering Raphael to stay on the bed. He would be right back.